Zac Purton broke Douglas Whyte’s all-time record for Hong Kong wins at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, creating history with a double at the city circuit.

Needing two wins to surpass Whyte’s figure of 1,813, Purton struck with his first ride of the night on Spirit Of Peace in race three, but he had to wait until the ninth and final race on the card to clinch the outright record when booting home View Of The World.

The seven-time champion Hong Kong jockey was presented with a specially-designed trophy featuring the figure 1,814 from Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and racing silks showing the same number after the historic achievement.

“It feels good, of course, but there’s been a big build-up to it and I think the name of the horse probably tells the story in itself, really,” Purton said moments after View Of The World narrowly won the second section of the Class Three Victoria Park Handicap (1,200m).

“I appreciate everyone hanging around [at the Valley] and the support that I get. I get a lot of love here in Hong Kong and I feel that. Our fans and supporters are very unique and I’m very fortunate to have that.

“Thank you to every trainer and owner and person I know that has supported me throughout my career, not just here in Hong Kong but also along the journey from when I started as an apprentice to where I am now.”

Purton rang the commemorative bell installed by the Jockey Club that counted down the numbers of wins needed to break Whyte’s record for the final time, with his wife Nicole by his side.

After booting home John Size’s Spirit Of Peace in the second section of the Class Four Kowloon Park Handicap (1,200m), Purton and Whyte rang the bell together with the latter paying tribute to his former arch-rival.

“It’s been a long time coming, it was always going to happen,” Whyte said.

“He’s one of the best riders that’s been around and he deserves it. As I’ve mentioned, he turns up day in and day out and that’s not easy for any sportsman to do. That’s what makes champions and that’s what makes you successful.

“As I’ve stipulated, if there’s anybody better to do it, it would be Zac.”

Whyte retired from riding in February 2019 with 1,813 wins from 12,269 rides with an overall winning strike rate of 14.78 per cent.

Purton reached 1,814 wins from 10,358 rides with a superior strike rate of 17.5 per cent.

“It’s not just about Douglas. Obviously he was very good at what he did and he set the tone for all the jockeys that have followed him,” Purton said.

“We’ve both been very fortunate and it’s great that he’s now a trainer and we have a bit of a better relationship. But as he said, records are made to be broken and someone will break mine one day, too.”

After arriving in Hong Kong as a 24-year-old for the 2007-08 season, Purton overcame a slow start to his career in the city to become a dominant force.

The Australian rider ended Whyte’s record of 13 consecutive premierships with his maiden title in 2013-14 and has since won another six, while exceeding 100 winners in nine seasons including the past seven in a row.

He set the record for most wins in a season with 179 and most prize money in a single season – a staggering HK$277,712,060 – in 2022-23.

While Spirit Of Peace stormed home to salute as the $2.9 favourite, Purton was beaten on his next five rides – including four favourites.

The 42-year-old had to settle for second twice – ironically behind Whyte’s $40.3 long-shot Happy Trio when he rode $1.9 elect Sight Happy, and on $2.9 favourite Aestheticism.

But his magical moment came in the last race, with Dennis Yip Chor-hong’s View Of The World hanging on late to prevail narrowly as the $2.5 favourite.